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Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

July 7, 2022 by Denise

. .

How hard can it be to guard the country’s biggest rockstar?

As a SEAL officer, I’m no stranger to danger, but running my own security firm is a new challenge. Finding the right bodyguard for each client isn’t easy. Our next gig? My little brother’s best friend, rock god Ezra Moon, has a security crisis. Ezra is convinced I’m the right man for the job, but I’m not so sure.

From crowd surfing to infamous pictures, Ezra is known for taking risks. It’s no wonder his record label thinks he needs a keeper on tour.

But there’s not a tour bus big enough to contain our incendiary attraction. Ezra and his antics push every last one of my buttons, but the real problem is how much I want to kiss some sense into him. He’s a client, and angry make-out sessions aren’t the answer. Yet we keep finding ourselves alone and burning up the sheets until our secret fling threatens to scorch both of us.

I’ve spent my whole life running from the spotlight, trying to distance myself from my notorious father. Ezra wants to live his best life on the biggest stage. A future seems impossible, but our feelings are undeniable. Can I admit how hard I’ve fallen for Ezra without losing everything?

HARD JOB is book two in a brand-new SEAL bodyguard series. It features a reluctant SEAL bodyguard, a mouthy rock star with a heart of gold, molten chemistry, and pie. Lots of pie. Also, all the high heat, big emotions, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List security for this new series featuring former SEALs and the celebrity clients who win their hearts. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

Somehow I missed book one of this new series. I will definitely be going back to read Danny and Chase’s story. Luckily, this is easily read as a stand alone so I didn’t lose anything that I couldn’t extrapolate easily.

So. Rock star, yes please. Former SEAL now bodyguard, also yes please. Turn your AC on because this was a hot one.

Duncan has been a secret fan of They Wear Crowns and had a crush on the lead singer Ezra since they released their first album. Before that, Duncan knew Ezra from when he and Duncan’s half brother were on a television show together.

Ezra, on the other hand, ALWAYS had a crush on Duncan. There’s maybe a 5ish year age difference which explains why Duncan had no interest in Ezra at first. But now, he is an adult with a great career and Duncan’s brother suggests him as security for the band and Ezra.

So they are thrown together right before the band is back on tour. Ezra can flirt with the best of them and it doesn’t take long to wear down Duncan’s tissue paper thin defenses. But Duncan doesn’t believe in happily ever after. He grew up with a Hollywood big wig for a father who has been married 4 times and had a lot of accusations swept under the rug. His father also wants him to work for him. Which is comical because Duncan does not have the personality for that at all. Can you imagine a former SEAL schmoozing in Hollywood? Duncan doesn’t even like sharing a last name with his father.

In the meantime Ezra and his band continue to tour with Duncan working security. And meeting in one of their hotel rooms at night. They are keeping everything on the downlow though, partly because Ezra is a client and partly because Duncan does not want to be in the gossip rags like his father. That leads to a lot of strife between them. But Duncan is definitely catching some feelings and that is just complicating things even further. Silly feelings.

I loved Ezra. He is down to earth, very mature considering his life in show biz, but also fun. He does not take himself too seriously at all. But don’t worry. Because Duncan is ALL about the serious. Probably too much about the serious. But together they are amazing. Duncan doesn’t realize how incredibly sweet and loving he is. He is such a nurturer but at the same time has no problem giving up control in the bedroom.

There isn’t a ton of interaction with the other band members. Mostly their manager, some with Ezra’s parents and then Duncan’s step brother and father. It kept the story from getting overly cluttered, but it was also a little odd that he didn’t hang with them much.

This was a good read with very likable characters who were meant for each other.

4 pieces of eye candy

We Choose You (Choice Versus Fate, Book 1) by Katy Manz: Audiobook Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

June 30, 2022 by Denise

. .

James and Aidan didn’t need fate. They had each other.

Alpha James and Beta Aiden love each other and don’t care what fate has to say about that. Mating doesn’t need to be based on pheromones and scents. And kids? There were many ways to build a family.

When fate comes knocking years later, James does what any wolf in his situation would—he runs away. He has a mate he loves more than anything, and they’re just about to get everything they want: a family. He can’t risk losing everything because Fate decided to be a butt.

Omega Riley scented his fated mate once months earlier, and the wolf ran away. He is coming to terms with his singledom. Everything is going as well as it can, that is, until his fated mate’s children walk into his classroom.

We Choose You is book one in the sweet with knotty heat MM shifter mpreg romance series: Choice Vs. Fate. It features an alpha wolf shifter who mated his beta best friend, the omega sent by fate, true love, twins who will steal your heart, adorable babies, and a guaranteed happy ever after.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Audible – Audiobook

“Yes. God I missed you so much. Mm.” I loved hearing Aiden scream out. Some don’t like their partners to be vocal, but the more I heard his pleasured sound, the harder it drove me to get him to moan out more. I fell deeper into my pleasure and the search for mutual release. Continuing to pump his cock in tandem with my movements, I could tell this was going to be a quick one. I could already feel my knot forming. Usually, alphas couldn’t knot betas, but I always had with Aiden. Even if we could never have a family this way, our bodies fit and wanted that extra connection. Instead of ensuring conception, our locking together was for us to feel close.

Soon, the warmth of his release covered my hand as my cock spent itself deep inside his ass. We would be stuck like this for the next few minutes, so I gently maneuvered us into a nearby chair. After so many years, we were pros at getting comfortable wherever and whenever we ended up having sex. We’d also learned quickly never to do this in public unless we felt like getting caught. No matter if there was a witness to our lovemaking, there would be no way to quickly deflate. Some didn’t like the feeling for an extended amount of time. We found it amazing.

“So, how was the trip?” I asked as we caught our breath. With desire sated for the moment, I wanted to hear all about the art tour and my husband’s plans for the coming months.

“Great. I sold all the paintings I brought along and I got contracted for another twenty-four canvases before the next show in the summer. They want a beach feel to the collection but said I can follow my muse and see what it produces. I missed you though.” Aiden sighed and leaned deeper into me before continuing. “I was thinking maybe I should stop touring after the summer show. At least for a bit. Maybe we can revisit the idea of starting a family? We said we would wait a few more years, but I think the timing is right, now.”

My original 3 pieces of eye candy review of the ebook is here. And I wish I could say that I liked it even more on audiobook, which quite often happens with me. But in this case, no.

Generally, I listen to audiobooks on about 1.2-1.3X speed, mostly because it takes me so long to listen to one, that I need to keep going. 🙂 But wow, this narrator read so slow, that I ended up listening at 1.6X speed. And just to be sure, I went back to 1.3X, as well as 1.0X and it felt like he was talking through molasses. I just couldn’t stay there. Also his enunciation just seemed off and stilted. He seemed to emphasize the wrong words in sentences, and took me right out of the story. I was thinking that he must have been a first time narrator, but no, it looks like he’s narrated quite a few books.

The voices seemed not quite right to me, as well as the pitch…which I will admit could partially be because of listening at 1.6X speed. However, any slower and I just would not have made it through.

There have been very few audiobooks that I haven’t finished before. I finished this one, but it was tough. This narrator is definitely not for me.

I wish I could give it a higher rating, but 2 pieces of eye candy is all I can give.

. .

Katy Manz has always dreamed of being a romance writer. She wanted to bring the stories created in her mind to a world of readers that would fall in love with her characters as much as she has. Keep a lookout for more books in this series and future series to come.

Connect with Katy:
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Rookie Mistake (On Board Book 1) by L.A. Witt and Anna Zabo: Release Day Review

June 28, 2022 by Denise

Rookie forward Isaac Rivera is still finding his footing in the big leagues where he’s no longer the best player on the roster. It’s a whole new world, especially now that several of his hockey idols have become teammates. Friends, even.

There’s one who’s more than a hockey idol, though… and he might end up being more than a friend.

Julien Landry is a powerhouse on the ice. In eight years, he’s become one of the league’s top defensemen and the heartthrob everyone wants to bed. But fallout from a painful mistake as a rookie, followed by years of rough-and-tumble hookups, have him itching for something more.

When a connection sparks between him and Isaac, he discovers what he’s been missing: someone he can trust with his body and his heart. As long as Isaac and Julien keep the heat between them off the ice, what could go wrong?

But Julien’s past is never far behind him, and when it comes crashing in, he might lose everything—his career, his friends, and the first person he’s ever really loved.

CW: discussions of past abuse and sexual assault

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I’ve always been a fan of LA Witt. And I’ve enjoyed Anna Zabo’s books. So match made in heaven, right?

Well…yes, mostly. Let’s dig.

LA Witt has been known to have increasingly long books. And that’s fine. Sometimes a story needs 100 pages to be told. And sometimes it needs 400 pages. And while this one clocks in at over 500 pages, it really didn’t have to.

There is A LOT of hockey in this book. “But, Erin, of course there is! Both main characters are hockey players!” True, true. But there are descriptions that go pages about plays, what happened during the game, where the puck went, etc. Play by plays of a fictional game that I really don’t think added anything to the story.

What I can see is the passion both authors have for the game. And I commend that. But I just wish there wasn’t so much of the game play that had my eyes glazing over a bit. Admittedly, I am not really a hockey fan. But I have read plenty of books featuring hockey. And I’ve enjoyed them. But I also wasn’t immersed in hockey.

Ok, moving on.

Beyond the above, I kind of loved the whole dynamic going on. The seasoned players kind of taking the rookie under their wings. Also Julien has different reasons for doing that. And his friends know he has different reasons, but they are cool with it.

Isaac is totally star struck and trying not to be. He had posters of Julien on his bedroom walls. Now he is not only playing on the same team as him, but apparently they are friends? Until Julien passes him his address.

Although unrealistic, I loved that being gay in hockey wasn’t a huge plot point. People knew Julien was gay (or bi? sorry, can’t remember) and it was no big deal. No big announcements really. They kept their relationship on the down low, not because they were two men, but because they were two men on the same team and one was a rookie.

There’s also a subplot involving Julien and another player who used to be on his team but now plays for someone else. That definitely added a lot to the story and to who Julien is.

As always, the sex scenes were off the chart hot and very unexpected.

I definitely want to read book 2. I can guess who it is about and I need to see that. But maybe a little less play by play.

4 pieces of eye candy

The Quarterback Keeper by Rheland Richmond & Emerson Beckett: RB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

June 27, 2022 by Denise

. .

Alex

I’m the starting quarterback for the Portland Pirates, and I have a thing for my son’s teacher. Except I didn’t know the cute blonde on the beach with the giant dog was, in fact, my kid’s teacher until two months later at Open House.

Christian took my breath away during the second week of my two-week vacation at the beach and introduced me to things I never knew could feel so good and be so right. I think he just might be the one who inspires me to tell the world that this NFL quarterback is bisexual and in love with a man.

That is until I blew the best thing to happen to me since my kids were born. All I know is I have to get him back. I had to find a way to keep him.

Christian

I never imagined I would meet the love of my life while being bowled over on the beach by the overeager Newfoundland I was dog-sitting. But that’s exactly how I ended up on my back in the sand, wrapped in his arms and pressed into the sand by the six-foot-five dark-haired Adonis on the beach. Did I mention he had two beautiful children?

Our week together was worthy of a sexy modern-day fairytale full of promises about the future until he sent me the text that broke my heart. And how was I supposed to get over him when his adorable six-year-old son was in my class?

Find out how Alex and Christian ache to overcome some daunting complications to reunite in The Quarterback Keeper, Book One of The Package Deal Series.

Title: The Quarterback Keeper
Authors: Rheland Richmond & Emerson Beckett
Series: The Package Deal, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance.
Tropes: First Time Gay; Single Dad; Bisexual Experience; Sports Romance; Football Player and the Teacher.

Amazon – Kindle Umlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Holy… fucking… shit! He was so hot in his tight black pants and purple t-shirt. I knew Alex was ripped because I had personally licked all those muscles. But that uniform did things to me that shouldn’t be happening in public.

Alex spotted us, then sent me his secret smile, just for me. It was the smile he gave me when he was about to take me apart and edge me with his tongue. I had to inconspicuously press my palm to my cock to settle it down. When that didn’t work, I had to think about first graders with runny noses and Sampson’s giant dog poop. That did the trick and deflated me like a balloon with a pinhole.

On his way to the sideline, Alex walked up to a ball boy and picked up two balls and what looked like a Sharpie marker. He turned and jogged over to the sideline, heading straight for Coop and me. I may have squealed a little, but I would never admit it out loud. Thank god there was no one around to hear us.

When Alex reached me, he tossed his head back.”I like your jersey. That’s a good number. Are you a fan?”

“Not really. He’s okay looking, but nothing special.” He knew I was lying through my teeth.

“Really? I heard he has a big cock.” He’d dropped his voice lower, but of course, Cooper heard.

“LALALALALALALA!” Cooper blurted. “I don’t want to hear that shit! Ewww…”

We both burst out laughing at Cooper’s silliness.

“But,’ Cooper said, “if you tell me number 88 is gay or bi, I’ll take that as payment for your faux pa.”

Alex around, then back to Cooper. “Sorry, Coop, I don’t think Foster shares our preferences. But I could be wrong. You can never really tell.”

“Here ya go, babe,” Alex said, handing me a signed football. The inscription read, “To Mr. St. Clair’s Class, work hard and play harder. Go Pirates- signed Alex Hayes #7.”

“And do you mind taking this one to Zach at school?” I waited while he finished writing, then took it from his hand. Our fingers touched, and sparks shot through my body. My breathing sped up, and my face began to flush.

“Careful there, teach. Someone looking at you might think you like me.”

I cleared my throat and tried to get myself back together, but my damn dick didn’t follow directions.

“They’d be wrong. I don’t like you. I love you.” I watched Alex go to mush at my words. Touché QB. You melt me, and I melt you right back.

The sound of gagging and retching beside me drew my attention away from Cooper, who feigned throwing up at my sappy words. I elbowed him in the ribs. “Shut up, fucker.”

Rheland Richmond:

For as long as she can remember Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she wrote hers.

Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about Y’all. So if you get a chance… please get in touch.

Connect with Rheland:
www.rhelandrichmond.com
https://www.instagram.com/rhelandrichmond/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRhelandRichmond

Emerson Beckett:

Who is Emerson Beckett? That’s a good question.

I’m a retired educator who loves all things romance and an avid reader and consumer of well-written M/M romance books.

My journey to becoming an author started with an idea I had one night while I sat reading on my sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in me editing for three wonderfully talented M/M romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write with one of the most genuine and kindest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. (She’s my co-author for Quarterback Keeper.)

I’m a wife and a mother of three beautiful adults, one of which is trans and responsible for my love of this genre. All three have since left us with an empty nest that is now full of pets.

Connect with Emerson:
https://www.emersonbeckett.com/
https://www.facebook.com/author.emerson.beckett
https://www.instagram.com/author.emerson.beckett/

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Playing Games by Riley Hart: Cover Reveal and Giveaway

June 27, 2022 by Denise

Brax

Tyson Langley thinks the king in Franklin University Kings is in reference to him. Star lacrosse player and God’s gift to the female and male population, there’s nothing the spoiled jock can’t have.

It’s impossible for us to be in the same room without talking crap to each other. But I also have a secret… As much as I despise Ty, I want him too. I revel in our banter and in never knowing what he’ll say next.

I’ve spent too much time on the wrong side of the law for someone like Ty, though, and if I want to make it through college and escape my past, he’s a distraction I don’t need.

Braxton Walker needs to learn to lighten up. If you search brooding online, his name pops up. He’s the bad boy with a leather jacket and a scowl. We couldn’t be more different.

Finding ways to annoy him is like the longest foreplay session of my life. And when we end up working together, it gets harder to deny how hot he makes me.

What’s a little hooking up between enemies?

We weren’t supposed to become friends or share secrets. We weren’t supposed to understand each other and all the complicated stuff we’re going through.

I’m used to playing games, only the more time I spend with Brax, the less it feels like playing around and the more it becomes something real.

Playing Games

Franklin University Series, Book 1

By Riley Hart

Coming August 25th

Preorder – Amazon – All Regions

Goodreads

Riley Hart has always been known as the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She won her first writing contest in elementary school, and although she primarily focuses on male/male romance, under her various pen names, she’s written a little bit of everything. Regardless of the sub-genre, there’s always one common theme and that’s…romance! No surprise seeing as she’s a hopeless romantic herself. Riley’s a lover of character-driven plots, flawed characters, and always tries to write stories and characters people can relate to. She believes everyone deserves to see themselves in the books they read. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading or enjoying time with her awesome family in their home in North Carolina.

Riley Hart is represented by Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. She’s a 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Of Sunlight and Stardust. Under her pen name, her young adult novel, The History of Us is an ALA Rainbow Booklist Recommended Read and Turn the World Upside Down is a Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Award Winner.
Join Riley’s reader group here!

Riley loves hearing from readers. You can contact her at rileyhartwrites@yahoo.com

Connect with Riley:
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Unexpected by Felice Stevens: Release Blitz with Release Day Review

June 24, 2022 by Denise

. .

Party planner Colin Brightman doesn’t drink or dance, preferring to go to bed early with his spreadsheets and lists. All he wants is to forget the singles weekend his friends sent him on, but he’s stuck with a suitcase filled with condoms and skimpy Speedos that don’t belong to him.

He doesn’t expect his luggage thief to be ex-baseball superstar Walker “Walk-Off” Scanlon. Or that Walker has hired his firm to put on a charity event at his bar. Colin can’t deny the mixed emotions the annoyingly flirty man stirs in him, but he refuses to fall for someone who racks up lovers as easily as he once hit home runs.

No matter how much he might want to.

Walker Scanlon likes his men easygoing with no complications. He’s had enough of those in his life. So why is he drawn to tense and straitlaced Colin and his frosty scowl? Even his corny one-liners and jokes don’t get him a smile. But the sparks between them are undeniable. And that unexpected kiss? Amazin’.

Now if only Colin would stop running away. Good thing Walker is fast on his feet, because he has no intention of letting Colin go.

When Colin and Walker come face to face with past hurts and betrayals, they’ll need to trust themselves and each other to learn that heartbreak and love don’t go hand in hand. It’s the bottom of the ninth and if they swing for the stars, they just might hit the grand slam of a lifetime.

Title: Unexpected

Author: Felice Stevens

Release: June 23, 2022

Genre: M/M Romance (stand alone)

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Bookbub

I have to admit. I am a sucker for a baseball player. And one that is past 30? Even better! The older I get, the more I appreciate “mature” characters finding love.

Walker is retired from the game after a career ending injury. He has always been out, never hiding his sexuality. He is also Jewish and wouldn’t play on religious holidays. Two strikes against him in the macho world of professional sports. But he made it through fairly unscathed, except for the career ending injury that was definitely caused on purpose. So now he owns a high end sports bar and is surrounded by guys from his baseball days. He is a really good guy, basically.

But when Colin first sees him, they are at a gay singles resort and he is in the middle of the dance floor doing the limbo. In a Speedo. Super straight laced Colin thinks he is ridiculous. Super hot, but ridiculous.

The universe brings them together in two different ways. So you know it was meant to be. But Colin was hurt by his ex husband and Walker was hurt by his parents and they both have some walls to get through.

Walker is fun. He is a SHAMELESS flirt. He sees what he wants and goes after it. Everyone loves him-friends, customers, employees. His flirting can be so cheesy but at the same time, you just have to smile.

Colin is the complete opposite. Couldn’t flirt if he tried. Very introverted. Has 2 friends. But he and Walker are drawn to each other, as much as Colin doesn’t want to admit it.

So two things I really loved, I already mentioned. The main characters are a bit older. I think 38 and 44? AND they are both Jewish. How often does that happen? I loved it.

The author obviously has a love of Brooklyn and knows it well. The borough is almost a third main character.

There was a lot of misunderstandings between the two men. A few too many, in my opinion. They did always get past it by talking to each other and a long time didn’t pass before they figured things out.

There could have been a lot of angst. Both men had trauma. But it was dealt with in a way that the tone of the story didn’t bring you down.

Fun story, mature characters, great setting and side characters who added to the story.

4 pieces of eye candy

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy, and that includes love.

She lives in New York City and has way too much black in her wardrobe yet can’t stop buying “just one more pair” of black pants. Felice is a happily addicted Bravo and Say Yes to the Dress addict and proud of it. And let’s not get started on House Hunters. Her dream day starts out with iced coffee and ends with Prosecco, because…why shouldn’t it? You can find her procrastinating on FB in her reader group, Felice’s Breakfast Club.

You can find all my books, grouped by series in proper reading order on my website located here:

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